The Supreme Court Collegium recommended 9 judges and all were approved by the Government, including three women judges. The recommendation was made for appointment as judges of the top court. The names have been sent to the President for approval. The judges are likely to take oath on August 31.
Justice BV Nagarathna, of the Karnataka High Court is in line to become the first women Chief Justice of India – a landmark in the nation’s history. PS Narasimha, among the judges for the Supreme Court elevation, is also in line to become the Chief Justice, becoming the third lawyer from the bar to become the top judge.
Justice SM Sikri was the first lawyer to be elevated directly to the Supreme Court bench in March 1964, He became the Chief Justice of India in 1971.
Reportedly, eight judges and one lawyer from the SC’s Bar have been recommended. The list includes Chief Justices AS Oka, Vikram Nath, JK Maheshwari, Hima Kohli, Justices BV Nagarathna, CT Ravikumar, MM Sundresh, Bela M Trivedi and Senior Advocate PS Narasimha.
Justice UU Lalit, who was elevated directly from a lawyer to a SC judge, is set to become Chief Justice after NV Ramana retires next year in August.
The Supreme Court, which has 25 judges against a sanctioned strength of 34, will be left with only one vacancy after the new judges are sworn in.
It is probably the first time that nine names have been recommended for the Supreme Court and all have been approved by the government.
(image credits: Wikimedia Common)
